"Harrier GR9 - Operation Herrick"

by Brian Fare

Operation HERRICK
Harrier GR9
1(F) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Aviation Fine Art, Litho Print



No 1(Fighter) Squadron, Royal Air Force, can trace its history back to 1878 when it was formed at Woolwich as No 1 Balloon Company of the Royal Engineers. It became No 1 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps on 13 May 1912, still with balloons, but re-equipped with aircraft 2 years later.



The squadron motto is In omnibus princeps (Latin for "first in all things"), appropriate for the RAF's oldest squadron and one that has been involved in almost every major British military operation since World War I. This includes World War II, Suez, Falklands War, Gulf War, Kosovo War, Operation Telic (Iraq) and most recently Operation Herrick (Afghanistan).



When the conflict in Afghanistan escalated during 2004, the Harrier’s role as a first class air support jet was increasingly relied upon to help troops on the ground against Taleban forces. Several times, the Harrier’s commitment to Operation HERRICK was extended and eventually their stay lasted nearly 5 years. During this time Joint Force Harrier accomplished a total of 8,557 sorties and 22,771 flying hours on Close Air Support and tactical reconnaissance missions in support of NATO and Coalition ground forces. Joint Force Harrier has been engaged in Afghanistan during the longest period of high tempo ops involving UK air power since World War II. Wing Commander Dave Haines (OC 1(Fighter) Squadron) handed over the Operation HERRICK commitment to the Tornado Force on 23 June 2009 and the Squadron returned home from operations to RAF Cottesmore on 01 July 2009.



Open edition printed on 300 gsm archival quality, acid free white board using lightfast inks.



Overall Print size: 297mm x 420mm